I'm a newby and don't know what standing Consumer Reports has here. The following is from the 2004 Buying Guide

FWIW, the 1997 had problems with the engine and hardware (half black circles) and even more problems with the electricals (a black circle). In the 1998, the engine was much better but the electricals and the hardware were the same as the 1997. In addition, the 1998 had real problems with the power equipment - a black circle, whereas the 1997 was much better - with a white circle. Otherwise there was not much difference between the two years.

I'm the happy owner of an exquisitely simple 1983 240D. The reliability is simply stunning :-)

HTH

V007